finesse

[OkobojiEagle]

fi·nesse

/fəˈnes/

 

noun

 

1. 1.

   intricate and refined delicacy.

    

   verb

 

1. 1.

   do (something) in a subtle and delicate manner.

    

    

    

   Forgive me this morning, but using the word "finesse" to describe a bait simply because it is small or light weight; or tackle because it can cast light weight baits bothers me.  By definition, finesse fishing is a subtle, delicate presentation of any size or weight bait using most any tackle capable of such presentation.  Thank you for your indulgence.

    

   oe

[BlakeMolone]

You can finesse any bait yes but an actual finesse bait is a smaller Than average and very subtle bait, atleast that’s how 99% of bass fisherman mean it. Bass fishing has adopted the word and modified it to our liking.

[Bird]

I also think of smaller baits, lighter weight when the term finesse is used.

 

Is a weightless Senko finesse ? Some of my Senko style baits have the fall rate of a bowling ball.

Does that nullify it as finesse? 

 

Is a Ned on a 3/16 head finesse ?

 

I really don't know. 

 

 

[Team9nine]

I would disagree (to a degree - lol) and counter with the argument that you need to go back to the first uses of the term in specific bass fishing context to derive at least what was originally meant/definition, and when you do that, it becomes clear that “finesse” was originally derived as a term for the technique of using light line and small/light baits (...and on the west coast where the term coevolved, in deep water). Has that definition evolved and morphed over time more to your point above - yes, to some degree.

[WRB]

Few terms in bass fishing can be defined how it's inturpreted by anglers using a dictionary. The truth is we don't agree on the defination of finesse.

Tom

[CrankFate]

I’m going to call my Ned rig a reverse neko rig from now on.

[Smells like fish]

Finesse has turned into any reduction of the presentation. I would think that it is light line and a small lure presented subtle for a finicky bite. 

[Bird]

26 minutes ago, CrankFate said:

I’m going to call my Ned rig a reverse neko rig from now on.

Is this permitted?

Both baits must be considered finesse to reverse anything. 

 

What size nail in the Neko ?

See, it's not that simple. 

[Luke Barnes]

I could "power" fish a ned rig. Long casts, quick and big pops like a t rig and cover a ton of water, or even swim the thing. So can you power fish a finesse bait? Or finesse a power fishing bait? I say, fish whatever bait with whatever setup you have and call it what you want. If it catches you fish, that's all that matters.

[Smells like fish]

34 minutes ago, Bird said:

Is this permitted?

Both baits must be considered finesse to reverse anything. 

 

What size nail in the Neko ?

See, it's not that simple. 

Make sure you're pronouncing it properly by saying neck oh and not knee koh ? fish bite more that way

[MGF]

4 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

fi·nesse

/fəˈnes/

 

noun

 

1. 1.

   intricate and refined delicacy.

    

   verb

 

1. 1.

   do (something) in a subtle and delicate manner.

    

    

    

   Forgive me this morning, but using the word "finesse" to describe a bait simply because it is small or light weight; or tackle because it can cast light weight baits bothers me.  By definition, finesse fishing is a subtle, delicate presentation of any size or weight bait using most any tackle capable of such presentation.  Thank you for your indulgence.

    

   oe

I think a "finesse" bait is one designed to be presented with finesse. A nearly do-nothing presentation of a NED or a wacky rigged stick bait is certainly what I would consider finesse.

 

But, if it bothers you, I'm sorry. LOL

Oh and I would be fishing except for my wife has me working...but I got a moment to check in here because I sent her to the hardware store.

[RoLo]

 

Today, 'finesse' is anything you want it to be

(Don't take my word for it, read the responses).

 

Roger

[scaleface]

If it requires a spinning rod then its finesse .?

[Smells like fish]

Fairy wand ?

[JediAmoeba]

5 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

fi·nesse

/fəˈnes/

 

noun

 

1. 1.

   intricate and refined delicacy.

    

   verb

 

1. 1.

   do (something) in a subtle and delicate manner.

    

    

    

   Forgive me this morning, but using the word "finesse" to describe a bait simply because it is small or light weight; or tackle because it can cast light weight baits bothers me.  By definition, finesse fishing is a subtle, delicate presentation of any size or weight bait using most any tackle capable of such presentation.  Thank you for your indulgence.

    

   oe

I can power fish a ned rig but I sure as heck can't finesse a 10" magdraft.  So I am going to have to mostly disagree with you here.

[Mobasser]

I think the original " finesse" fishing was made famous by Charlie Brewer and west coast angler Don Iovino. Now, finesse fishing is a broad term. I still just look at it like this: 6 to 8lb line, med spinning rod, and smaller baits. Maybe we shouldn't even call it "finesse" any more. Just call it "fishing". It means too many different things to too many people anymore.

[Will Wetline]

5 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

fi·nesse

/fəˈnes/

 

noun

 

1. 1.

   intricate and refined delicacy.

    

   verb

 

1. 1.

   do (something) in a subtle and delicate manner.

    

    

    

   Forgive me this morning, but using the word "finesse" to describe a bait simply because it is small or light weight; or tackle because it can cast light weight baits bothers me.  By definition, finesse fishing is a subtle, delicate presentation of any size or weight bait using most any tackle capable of such presentation.  Thank you for your indulgence.

    

   oe

Okay. "Finesse" certainly does extend to presentation.

[jimmyjoe]

   "Sick" used to mean unwell. "Gay" used to mean happy and carefree. Words change meaning. "Finesse " is one of them that has changed a little, and is probably still in the process of changing even more. So what? The world won't end because of it.     jj

[WRB]

Don Iovino was inducted into the Fishing Hall of Fame as the Father of Finesse fishing. Dick Trask pre dates Don a few years winning bass tournament using finesse presentations. Don will say he was 1st, I know differently. Regardless it was in the early 70's when Trask started winning using Flutter Craft and Mister Twister 4 1/2" curl tail worms on dart head jigs and split shot rig and Don followed using both split shot and doddling Smitty's straight and curl tail worms using his modified 2500C reels. Trask used spinning tackle, Don used casting tackle, both were finesse bass anglers targeting outside structure bass using sonar. Light line precise lure presentation.

Guido Hibbon was the 1st B.A.S.S. Pro that I recall using what we now call finesse presentations using spinning tackle.

Flipping is power fishing using precise lure presentation with heavy tackle.

Tom

 

 

[NYWayfarer]

I have not put too much thought into this as others seem to have.

 

Finesse fishing to me has always equaled slow to me. Like real slooooow. Cast, let the bait sit, move it a little bit, sit. Even dead sticking. Rinse and repeat.
 

Power fishing was cast, retrieve, repeat. 
 

 

[schplurg]

Finesse to me is all about presentation, not the bait. But what do I know?

 

Still a rookie, but I've understood it to mean trying to get specific action out of a bait with slow and subtle movements.

 

Maybe the difference between dragging a bait along the bottom and popping it up a certain amount so that the tail jiggles, or the skirt blooms, or whatever. Perhaps bringing it slowly and deliberately past a precise target location rather than just burning it through the water.

 

I think I've tried to finesse a crank bait. Bring it down to depth, then pausing it or slowing down near some cover and teasing it along. <shrug>.

[CrankFate]

22 hours ago, Bird said:

Is this permitted?

Both baits must be considered finesse to reverse anything. 

 

What size nail in the Neko ?

See, it's not that simple. 

I was thinking I should use a screw, the teeth will probably hold better than a nail.....